Jan 31, 2010

This.Here we have the Joakim Soria "Game Used Button!" relic, serialed to only /6. My first thought, of course, was: "I can haz button shirt cardz?". At the time, it was affordable. I am probably watching it, but lost faith in the card after some good thought.

First off, this is anything but Unique. Why? The usual reasons: Sticker Auto, bland Topps design. Of course, Joakim could sign a cantaloupe and I would throw down some bills for it. [By the way, Google Image Search "Hits until porn" game revealed pornography on the first page of images. Beware, kids.]

Also, a button is part of a uniform. Why completely remove the button from the jersey and make them two different cards? Thickness, obviously, is one concern. This card would probably be 3x as thick and a regular relic card. The only other reason I can think would be that they never thought to use the buttons until this year, and for some reason, besides the reason that Joakim "Blue Flame" Soria wore them, so they were kept.

On a side note...anyone who was ever a hard-nosed player in high school or American Legion baseball will realize buttons are readily losable when diving. When you think of how many jersey cards are out there, or at least when I do, I think 'why so many'? I figured it's probably because of instances like losing buttons, or ripping the ass out of the back right leg of your uniform stealing second. One of the fiercest competitors I ever had the pleasure of sharing a uniform (not literally, we were teammates for 2-3 years) with would go through 4-5 pairs of pants in a season - which brings me to my next though. So many cards say "game-used/worn Uniform" on them...some say "jersey", and rarely do they ever say "pants". Why not? Jersey implies a top, pants is explanatory, but "uniform", I believe, is intentionally left vague.

Well. 80% of my favorite Leafs, all time, gone. Alexei is next, and probably within the afternoon.

It's rough being a Toronto fan right now. Maple Leafs now have the devastating pair of Phaneuf and Kaberle on the blue line, but there is no longer any more front line. Kessel is in trouble up there right now without Stajan...and Bozak is hot but is he ready? We'll have to see. Christian Hansen will be a force soon enough.

Who's next?

Jason Blake? I sure hope so. Overpaid albino...

Hagman is gone, Ponikarovsky might not make it to dinner time.

Fredrik Sjostrom? I remember him from the Rangers, but he's not worth losing White and Stajan, even if we do get Phaneuf. This looks purely like a getting something for nothing, in terms of long contracts versus impending free agents.

My thoughts are all over the place right now, I appologize and promise better writing in the future. I'll leave you with this, my favorite card of all time, which has just lost a ton of meaning to me:

UPDATE 1:17PM

YESS! BLAKE IS GONE!! REJOICE!!

Toskala too?! No shit!

What?

We got a warm body in return? No way! He was a Stanley Cup winning goalie?! Hot damn!

New Guys:

Dion PhaneufFredrik SjostromJean-Sebastien GiguereKeith Aulie

Old Guys:Vesa ToskalaIan White Matt StajanJamal MayersJason Blake

Good. Blake and Toskala are gone. We've got someone to protect the Monster along with Kaberle. But we may never score a goal for the rest of the season...

So the mail came in today, and I saw what every collector loves, the beautiful goldenrod packet which can mean one thing (well, it can mean many things, but these "things" are much better than other "things".) New cards! I noticed right away that the package was from reader Jon, and ripped in. (The only other pieces of mail was a credit card app from Chase and a W-2. Those were quickly ignored.)

Right away, I noticed a note in the bag...and knew exactly what it was going to say. Protecting the inner contents sandwiched between two top loaders were what could only be late-80's brown-edged Topps. You know, h said he had some '88 Jays minis to send...but these cards are standard sized....Hmm.... A Cubs player to boot...I don't have any Cubs on my "Want" lists...uh...uh....oh no.

No.

Say it ain't so, Jon!

I open the note...

"Roy, Hope you enjoy the cards. I also Bipped you..."

This is where the embarrassment sets in. Doug Dascenzo. Bipped. Descenzo'd. Chicago Cubs. I had to look this guy up. It's kind of funny. With all the '89er Topps I have, no Dascenzos. I've never seen this card nor even heard of the player in my life. And I know wayyyy too many players.

So Dascenzo facts (KNOW YOUR BIPPINGS!):

Career AVG of .2345 HR, 90 RBI and an OBP of .293 (who the hell walked this guy?!)

Kind of sounds like 3 average Gregggggg Zaun seasons rolled into one career.

But here's what makes Dascenzo a gem of a bipping:

5.0 IP, 2 K, 2 BB and a zero ERA. This guy was LIGHTS OUT when it comes to relief pitching. Maybe he'll get a call this year from the lowly Cubbies.

Another fun fact, from Wiki, of course:Dascenzo began his Major League career by playing in a then-National League record 241 consecutive games without making an error. The streak spanned from his debut in 1988 to the 1991 season when he committed his first error in a game on August 25.Very Nice.

Now, on to the object of the trade...Jon had a Tulo Jersey card to send me in return for an Adam Dunn jersey card. Sounds like a fair deal, my favorite for your's, and it went down smoothly.

Here's the Tulo:Bonus Tulo! Triple Play Tulo!:A Joakim Soria Piedmont Mini from '09 T206:I'll get up to posting my Soria have list eventually, but the past three online trades have pumped my PC so much I'm totally lacking (Yes, I believe she said something like that...)

'88 Tom Henke Mini, but Bigger than the Soria:And the Griffey '08 UDX:This is by far the best looking card in this set. Something about the Red/White/Black (err...let's ignore that those are Nazi party colours for now) scheme makes this Griffey particulary eye-catching.

Thanks for the awesome cards, Jon. Your's will probably get into the mail Tomorrow morning (hopefully). You should have a healthy Adam Dunn boost soon enough.Other readers: I also have two more packets that will probably go out. A 500 Clubber caught in a Webb, and some Te-xas Rangers that I don't have a good pun for. Also, payment for Collective Troll's Group Break and Carl Crawfords "TBNLs" are still being put together, so remain patients, Rays fans.And for those of you sick enough to want to see this:

So why do I love this one and not the Eatons? Well, for one, the others were Adam Eatons. Curious how all four were Padres cards....Padres games must be so entertaining that they cannot keep a photographer there for more than one shot. Reason two: Mat Latos. I'm a big fan, and this Bowman DP+P was my third RC logo card of Latos. He killed for me down the stretch in fantasy ball, so that helps.

I've had the T206 for MONTHS but never noticed that sick wrist tat. It is more evident in the T206 than in the Bowman. But still, he's got nothing on my main man Brandon League, and never will.

Jan 26, 2010

In 2008, Indian television (not exactly Baliwood or Slumdog Millionaire) ran a Reality/Contest TV Show aptly named "Million Dollar Arm". The program, brainstormed by JB Bernstein, was aimed to find the one Indian who could throw the hardest and most accurate fastball. Rinku won the contest out of 37,000 contestants by throwing 87 MPH. Singh later tried out for 20 MLB teams and was eventually signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates while reaching 92 MPH on the gun.

Singh struck out one batter on July 13th, 2009 and became the first Indian-born baseball player to win a professional baseball game.

Fellow Indian Dinesh Patel also was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and was runner-up in the MIllion Dollar Arm contest.

Spelunking along on ebay for a Dinesh Patel auto, I came across Singh's 2009 Bowman Auto. I thought it was one of the greatest autos in a long time, mainly because:

Singh's first language, and script, is not English. Most International free agents that speak foreign languages usually have to learn just the language, however for Singh and Patel, they had to learn to write the language as well.

All of the letters are printed and rarely touch.

Some letters, such as the "g" in Singh, are above other letters, very cool.

Originality! Probabl moreso due to Singh's language and script, but this auto is very refreshing and original, more enjoyable than the cursive letter-LINE cursive letter-LINE autos so many baseball players feature now.

Jan 24, 2010

You know, I love what eBay has done for the collecting community. Beautiful cards like this that "Book" for probably around $15-$20 are easily attainable at reasonable prices. Like this 2000 Skybox Star Rubies Extreme parallel of my main man, Carlos Delgado. Opening bid: $0.99 green American money.

Awesome.

Being a typical sheisty eBay buyer I skimmed it, and decided to wait until it was almost over to bid (when it rises to the top of my 3-15 page long watch list). This morning I check it out with 11 hours remaining and...what the f...$4.50 shipping?! No way. This is what really bothers me deeply about eBay. There is in no way justification for this card costing $4.50 to ship.

Example: Ed from Roll out the Barrel stuffed three (3) team bags full of Rockies for me sometime in the last two weeks. We're talking 30+ cards here, and not light-weight '88 Donruss. The total shipping for the package, I believe, was less than $1.75. For three team bags filled!

Could this Delgado possibly cost more than $2.00 to ship? Like most sellers, this one probably will arbitrarily stuff it into a scotch-taped-to-shit-beyond-recognition-destroyed top loader and stuff it in a letter to Grandmother white envelope.

Maybe he'd put it in a top-loader and bubble envelope. Still $4.50? I doubt it. A few weeks ago a I bought a 10-pack of #00 bubble-mailers...for $4.44. So those are $0.44/package.

Let's do some Sunday math (or college math, since I always waited until Sunday nights to do Calculus and Statistics last year):

Jan 23, 2010

I've been a bad blogger. In the past 1+ week I have received two packages from Play at the Plate and Roll out the Barrel. Both packages were initiated by the others, really just looking for a place to unload some sexy Rockies cards and some pure kindness to help out with my 2007 Ultra set.

What both ended up sending the said Rockies and Ultras...but both went above and beyond, and just go to show how amazing the readers of A Paper Chase are.

We'll start with Brian from Play at the Plate's package.

First off, there was 10 or more great cards I needed from the Ultra set, including some rookies. Much thanks goes out there. Also included was a 30+ card 2007 Ultra fat pack...with a Gold Miguel Montero showing! This was a decent pack compared to what I have ripped most recently, and I added I believe 2-3 more cards from this pack including the Montero.Also included, I am sure out of sheer kindness, was a Carlos Delgado SPx Relic and a Todd Helton jersey card as well.

Awesome. We gotta good man over there at Play at the Plate...go check him out.________________________________________________________________________________

Next up was Ed from Roll Out the Barrel's astounding package of Rockies. After three team bags and multiple "holy shi....'s" later, I found myself the proud new owner of these beauties.

You know, I voted for these on Stale Gum's Insert Set of the Year without even holding one in my hands. I didn't make a mistake. These are amazing, and it's my first one. Best of all, I had never even seen it, so it was a complete surprise. Amazing card, amazing insert.

I was amazed at the loot that was waiting me in this package. Tons of nice Rockies cards, included one of my most wanteds:An amazing amount fo thanks Gentleman. Please do not sit back and think these deeds will go unanswered. And if I mixed up who sent me what cards I apologize to the end of the Earth as I had six packages the day these came in and got myself good and confused writing it. I am putting together what I hope will be equal contributions to your respective collections...but it'll be hard to do. Thanks so much.

Back to my defense. I have been "busy" I guess. Work finally picked back up. Some visiting went on as well. My applications are sent in to Graduate school, so I have that to worry about. Still trying to get health insurance finalized. Have a letter of recommendation to write for my undergrad adviser and a life to plan. So I apologize if there is a slight lull in posting lately, but hey, sometimes life gets in the way.

Oh, and I want to start writing a "Blook". "What's a blook?" you may ask. In my hopes it will be a blog/book combination. It will chronicle life working in an anonymous CNY amusement park during summer tourism written with blogger-type style. It'll be a fun project, and I'll let everyone know about updates. However, I must warn you - mature audiences only.

Jan 17, 2010

In the past, I've despised Bowman flagship. 2009 changed this. In my opinion these are the best new era Bowman set, with a sick dose of improved photography, card composition and design. This is the only Bowman set I've ever seen and though: "I wouldn't mind collating the whole set." But really, it's all about #73. I really wish Johjima would have stayed in the US for at least the remainder of his contract, but at least that means I can chase down a defined set of cards rather than a never-ending crusade for all things Kenji.

On to the card. What's not to love? Action Shot - Check. Horizontal - Check. Play at the Plate - Check. General badassery - Checkmate.

Jan 16, 2010

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Our shows are the biggest shows in upstate New York and consist of Sports Memorabilia, Race Memorabilia, Sports and Non-Sports Cards, Autographs, Beanie Babies, Comics, Starting Line Up, Toys, and a whole lot more. Our Syracuse shows usually have up to 125 vendor tables with vendors from all over the Northeast and Canada.

Jan 15, 2010

So Daniel from It's Like Having My Own Cardshop mentions about a week ago his love of X-Fractors, and we all know his love of Diamondbacks, so we started talking, and due to the mutual love of all things refracting, a trade was thrown down.

Best of all, it was my first throughout the blargospheroid, and I have to say I'm pretty pleased by what Daniel sent over. Here's my shiny/rainbowy half of the deal:

Mmm. Refracted Blue Jaysssss.....

In case you're wondering, I am trying to collect the ENTIRE 2008 Topps Chrome Refractors set. It's a tough task, but I've already got over 40, so I feel goof about it. Daniel thankfully knocked three off of the list, and added something that makes me very, very happy:

2007 Fleer Ultra Ultra Rookies #215 Mike Rabelo.

What a great looking card. The Orange font on the white/blue contrasting bacground is amazing. These was such a great rookie subset, just wish this is what the Lucky 13's looked like instead.

2007 Fleer Ultra Ultra Rookies #221 Jay Marshall. Who?!

The one thing I don't love about this set was the rookies selection. Jay Marshall? Kory Casto? Gustavo Molina? Seriously? There were no better players in one of the top tier farm systems in the majors? What about:

Andrew Bailey?

Carlos Gonzalez?

Joey Devine?

Anyways, sorry about the quick rant. Thanks a million Dan - the X-Fractory Diamondback goodness should be in sunny Arizona before long! It may have taken me a while to send 'em out but I kept checking your want/need lists for Diamondbacks you did not yet have. Take the X-Fractors outside where they can get better light than they would here in overcast, rainy, snowy Central New York.

_______________

Also, got a few cards from eBay, all for my personal collection. They include these young bucks:

2003 Bowman Chrome #BDP110

2007 Bowman Gold #BDPP61

And this established gentleman:

2002 Fleer Premium International PrideCarlos Delgado #NNO

And they all cost less than $5, shipped. Maddy and Dusty Mc were about $2.50 for the pair and Delgado matched them.

This thought-provoking first line from MLBTR' rumo(u)rs list today made me giggle a little bit. Now, I don't think that Ben Nicholson-Smith intended for the double entendre, but I still enjoyed it.

He makes good points, though. Jays scored some serious trade loot this year, and aside from questionable signings of Alex Gonzalez (not the good one) and Johnny Mac (I'm happier about this one), there is some serious prospect porn in Las Vegas and New Hamsphire right now.

Will Ben Sheets be the next Blue Jay? Sure, why not? Alex has some serious bills to throw at him now that $8,000,000 left with Halladay, that Sheets could be a decent, one-year reclaimation project if no one else is interested (Plus I would LOVE to actually love all my Ben Sheets commons). Someone needs to be the ace of this staff - Rookie Romero (RR Cool Jay) is at least a year off, Richmond is a great story but will never be above a #4 and Drabek is at least two years from being an ace.

Why not give Richy Rich Harden a look too? Oh wait. Dammit Rangers! You'll still finish behind Seattle, that team will be something ferocious this season.

Jan 14, 2010

...with prizes! The photos aren't up yet, but they will be posted eventually. I am looking to form a 10-14 team Fantasy Baseball League on Yahoo with readers of Paper Chase and other bloggers (why does spell check still pick up "bloggers", "blogosphere" and other formations of the word?) The league would be a keeper league, so you would have the same players year after year (assuming I am not swallowed up by a jokulhaup in the future).

Prize winners would more than likely receive "cleaning out" cards as well - junk wax cards of the collector/player's teams from the 80's and 90's, etc; players for personal collections and everything else.

If I find some interest, I will start a sign-up post. If you know anyone who might be interested, direct them here. If not, then I think I'll be plenty busy with my other six fantasy baseball teams this season.

Jan 12, 2010

This post on Night Owl Cards earlier today (or later last night) reminded me that I wanted Night Owl to check this card out. I'm sure many many people have this card, however, as it is a common from the (ghastly) green 2000 Topps set. Enjoy.

Jan 11, 2010

This one is great. I've been reluctant to post this one since I don't want to come off as a Rockies homer, as I am a Jays fan, 100%. But there are reasons why I collect Rockies:

The Players - Atkins I do not collect but will always accept, Tulowitzki has been my man since his NCAA World Series showing, Carlos Gonzalez won me over by ripping every pitch the Phillies threw him in the 2009 NLDS, Dexter Fowler makes the game look easy and straight-up embarassed the game's best 2B, Ubaldo has an average fastball of 96.1 MPH (tops among MLB Starters) and Huston Street, Ian Stewart, and soon-to-be Jhoulys Chacin are all great talents.

Coor's Field. Go through your cards at Coor's Field. Chances are, all the cards are sleek, and if there's a view of the fans, there's a sweet sea of purple as a backdrop.

The Flair for the Dramatic. The 21 for 22 win streak. Matt Holliday's header.

The smooooooking hot girl behind the first base dugout in 2007 playoffs (and possibly 2009). Sorry, I had to pay my respects to her.

Anyways, damn. Good lookin' Garrett Atkins card there. And yes, it was a Home Run. How could it not be in a shot like that?

So for the past 3 months or so, I have walked past (read: labored in front of for 10-20 minutes) the local SprawlMart trading cards section and noticed one recurring, unselling blaster box. It is a box of 2008 Upper Deck X, marked down 40% to $11.48.

Every time I think about getting it. A plain black box with a sleek holofoil "X"...is tempting (I love holofoil, I'll admit it.) Today I picked it up, noting that before I had been discouraged by the fact that there was little writing, and that it doesn't state how many cards are in each pack (therefore box). But today, however, I noticed the message on the side: "One Memorobilia Card in EVERY Box, on average!"

So I bit. What's the worst that could happen? Pull a few die-cuts, some trippy Xponential inserts, knock off a good portion of a decent checklist, for $11.48. I could tell which pack had the hit once I got home and observed every pack. In fact, the hit:GBOAT (Greatest Blue Jay of All Time) #2 Carlos Delgado, is actually equal in thickness to five base cards. I was pumped about this card, placing it at the bottom of the stack. Also, I was glad that it was a Jays relic, not a Mets one. However, the color in the background is Mets, the card says Mets, and Carlos has not played in Toronto since 2004, yet he has a Jays jersey on. More on this card in another post.

The best Xponential (X^3) I pulled was a very nice David Wright. Once I got back on to blogger this afternoon, I noticed Dinged Corners posted David Wright, Curtis Granderson and Barry Zito as players they wanted to trade for, so this guy will have a good home over at Dinged Corners. Enjoy it!The Xponentials are really cool for X^2s I pulled David Ortiz (who has been haunting me since this fall) and Pedro.

Also added a Tulo to the PC:Often when I buy cards, I like to mix it up. Buy one plaster, add a random foil. Today random foil was actually wax(ish), and was 2008 Topps Heritage. I really like these, and got none other than my main man Dusty Mc:Also added David Eckstein in a Jays uni, and a Hanley Ramirez. Always noting that Topps like to play the short print game, i turned all the cards over and checked for irregularities. The Hideki Matsui was the only rogue, with a black background behind the number. I did a little research and found that short prints are inserted 1:3 to mimic the original '52 set. The black backs were not listed as a short print...so how knows.